An investigation has been launched after Ed Donald’s temporary absence from his role as chief executive officer of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in December

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An investigation has been launched after Ed Donald’s temporary absence from his role as chief executive officer of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in December.

The Council of Governors, chaired by trust chairman Colin Maclean, is looking into the factors that led to Mr Donald being away from his post last month.

At the time, the hospital said he was on annual leave, but his absence caused such disquiet that Reading Borough Council leader Councillor Jo Lovelock met Mr Maclean after writing to him on behalf of the emerging Health and Wellbeing Board, expressing collective concern about the future management and leadership.

On Monday, Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) spokesman Joe Wise issued a statement saying: “The Council of Governors is currently examining the circumstances leading to the leave of absence of the chief executive in December. Until this work is concluded we are not in a position to comment further.”

Early last month, sources told the Reading Post Mr Donald had quit his role following a vote of no confidence from the trust’s board over the reorganisation of its structure, put in place at the end of November.

Mr Donald’s ‘departure’ was not confirmed by RBH and a statement said he was “currently on annual leave”.

Sources claimed it was Mr Maclean who had led the vote against Mr Donald and it was reported clinicians held a meeting to discuss Mr Maclean’s future, but the hospital was unable to comment on the claim.

A few days after Cllr Lovelock and Mr Maclean’s meeting, on December 22, sources said Mr Donald had returned to the post of chief executive officer, which was confirmed by RBH.

Mr Wise said at the time: “The chairman and non-executive directors are committed to working with the chief executive Ed Donald and their partners to ensure the trust continues to deliver high quality patient care and effective financial management in the most challenging operating environment that the BHS and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has faced.”